For many, Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Christ.

According to popular statistics, between 70-80% of Americans consider themselves Christians, even if they don’t belong to any particular religious organization. This means that Christianity is, and has been, a major influence in shaping the culture of the USA.

This influence can be experienced most during the Christmas season. The Christmas season is primarily about the birth of Jesus Christ, the centerpiece of the Christian religion. However, before you can understand the importance of Christ's birth. You must first understand the importance of Christ himself. 

In short, Jesus Christ was a god who was born into a physical human body. During his lifetime, he taught people to love and be kind to each other, and to easily forgive others. He did miracles like healing the sick and the blind with his touch. Through him and his teachings, all men can find their way to Heaven and also gain an immortal physical body.

Mary and Joseph present Jesus at the temple. Simeon and Anna bore witness that Jesus was the Messiah and prophesied of his greatness

Christmas tradition holds that an angel appeared to a woman named Mary and he told her that she would be the mother of the Son of God and that she should name him Jesus. Mary was a virgin so Jesus' birth was a miracle. 

Joseph was Mary's fiance and when he found out that Mary was pregnant, he was upset and wanted to leave her. However, an angel told Joseph that he should still marry her because her child was from god.

When Mary was pregnant, she and Joseph had to travel a very long way to the small town of Bethlehem in order to register their name with the government. Tradition holds that Mary had to ride on a donkey. 

Because the city was so crowded, no rooms were available in the inns. So Mary and Joseph had to stay in a stable, and this is where Jesus was born. 

On the night of Christ's birth, an angel appeared to some shepherds who were watching their sheep. The angel told them that on this day the Savior of mankind, Jesus Christ, was born. The shepherd's hurried to see Jesus at the stable.

Also at the time of Christ's birth, a bright new star appeared in the sky. There were some wise men from far away who saw the star and knew it was a sign of Christ's birth. They searched for Jesus and when they found him they gave him three very expensive gifts—gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 

So gift-giving at Christmas time began with the three wise men. As well, people put stars on the top of their Christmas trees as a symbol of the new star. Sometimes, people put angels on top of their trees because the angels were an important part of the Christmas story, appearing to Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds.